For years, additive manufacturing was evaluated on performance, cost, and speed.

Now it’s being evaluated on something else: security.

In this episode of The Additive Advantage, Shon Anderson and Dani Mason unpack the growing scrutiny around additive manufacturing systems—why it’s happening, why it’s accelerating, and why this is far bigger than a “buy American” initiative.

What started as an NDAA regulation impacting Department of Defense programs is quickly expanding beyond aerospace and defense. IT departments, procurement teams, legal counsel, and corporate security leaders are now asking new questions:

• Where is this equipment manufactured?
• Where is the software written?
• Where are the servers located?
• What happens during firmware updates?
• How is our IP protected in a cloud-connected workflow?

Modern additive systems are not just machines—they are cyber-physical production platforms that sit at the direct intersection of digital design and physical output. That shift changes everything.

Shon and Dani discuss:

• Why additive is being evaluated differently than traditional manufacturing equipment
• The risk implications of cloud connectivity and firmware updates
• The growing role of IT and cybersecurity teams in AM adoption
• How regulatory pressure is flowing beyond defense into commercial sectors
• Why this is fundamentally a security initiative—not just an economic one
• What forward-thinking organizations are doing now to stay ahead of the curve

They also explore how companies can approach this programmatically—evaluating additive not as a one-off equipment purchase, but as part of an integrated production system that includes QA/QC, cybersecurity, legal frameworks, and long-term supply chain strategy.

This episode is not about fear. It’s about awareness, accountability, and preparation.

Additive manufacturing still offers enormous opportunity—but in today’s environment, success requires aligning technology, business strategy, and security from day one.

About the Show
The Additive Advantage Podcast explores what it really takes to turn additive manufacturing into a scalable, performance-driven business capability. Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, the show features real conversations with leaders accountable for outcomes — not hype.

Follow & Subscribe
Follow The Additive Advantage Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, watch full episodes on YouTube, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on new episodes and insights.
Apple | Spotify | YouTube | LinkedIn

About the Hosts
Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

Blake Teipel brings a manufacturing-first lens (John Deere/Caterpillar) and hard-earned operator experience from scaling an AM company through the 2020–2024 volatility cycle. Together, the group unpacks why additive still holds real promise—but only when it’s anchored to outcomes, supported by the right operating model, and executed with realistic expectations around adoption, QA/QC, workforce, and supply chain risk.

Key Takeaways

1) Additive isn’t a magic box

Reject any message that says AM will be fast and easy. Plan for the full system.

2) The industry’s last five years were a stress test

Additive’s potential is real, but durable value requires durable operating models—not hype-cycle assumptions.

3) Money, customers, and AM companies want value—on different clocks

Misaligned time horizons are a root cause of stalled AM initiatives and churn.

4) Service-forward models reduce customer risk

Winning strategies often look like “a great company that happens to use additive,” selling parts and outcomes—not just machines.

5) Razor/razorblade assumptions break in industrial reality

Hardware + materials recurring revenue only works when utilization and capability are truly there.

6) Hardware is necessary—and brutally competitive

Hardware strategy must account for long-term differentiation and supply chain realities, not just technical performance.

7) Start with outcomes: “What’s the best way to make this part?”

Outcome-first framing prevents teams from buying equipment before they understand value.

8) QA/QC and repeatability are the real battleground

Production-grade additive requires production-grade controls, documentation, and repeatability.

9) Cyber + supply chain risk is now a front-line requirement

Treat AM like any other network-connected manufacturing tech: involve IT early and ask pointed questions.

10) Workforce optimism: build the “lore”

The next five years can be a “build” era—if the industry grows steadily and develops talent.

About the Show
The Additive Advantage Podcast explores what it really takes to turn additive manufacturing into a scalable, performance-driven business capability. Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, the show features real conversations with leaders accountable for outcomes — not hype.

Follow & Subscribe
Follow The Additive Advantage Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, watch full episodes on YouTube, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on new episodes and insights.
Apple | Spotify | YouTube | LinkedIn

About the Hosts
Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.

Most technology initiatives don’t fail because the technology doesn’t work. They fail because execution is underestimated.

In this episode of The Additive Advantage, we sit down with Todd Gagne—former Concur executive, serial entrepreneur, and founder of Wildfire Labs—to talk about what it really takes to move strategic initiatives from idea to impact.

Todd brings experience from early-stage startup failure, enterprise-scale growth, and hands-on work helping leaders turn ideas into real businesses. The conversation spans additive manufacturing, AI, leadership, and systems thinking, with one consistent theme: technology succeeds or fails based on people, alignment, and execution.

Link to Show Notes

This conversation reinforces a simple truth: no matter how advanced the technology, success is determined by people, incentives, and execution. Leaders who understand this—and act on it early—build organizations that can adapt, scale, and win.

If the real challenge for you is turning insight into execution—and you want to talk through what this looks like in your organization—you can find us at: https://www.b9c.com/additiveadvantage

About the Show
The Additive Advantage Podcast explores what it really takes to turn additive manufacturing into a scalable, performance-driven business capability. Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, the show features real conversations with leaders accountable for outcomes — not hype.

Follow & Subscribe
Follow The Additive Advantage Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, watch full episodes on YouTube, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on new episodes and insights.
Apple | Spotify | YouTube | LinkedIn

About the Hosts
Hosted by Dani Mason and Shon Anderson, industry leaders with deep experience in technology and additive manufacturing.